nted gambler?"

"And if it were, _amigo mio_," retorted the other, "what more fitting
stake to set against the anger of a rejected lover?"

"Be it so!" cried Roland, fiercely; "you never caught up a man more
disposed to indulge your humor. Shall it be now?"

"Could not so much courage keep warm till daylight?" said Enrique,
calmly. "Below the fountains there is a very quiet spot."

"At sunrise?"

"At sunrise," echoed Enrique, bowing with affected courtesy, till the
streamers from his hat touched the ground.

"Now for my worthy father-in-law elect," said Roland; "and to see him
before he may hear of this business, or I may find it difficult to
obtain my divorce." When the youth arrived at the villa, the party were
assembled at supper. The great saloon, crowded with guests and hurrying
menials, was a scene of joyous but reckless conviviality, the loud
laughter and the louder voices of the company striking on Roland's ear
with a grating discordance he had never experienced before. The sounds
of that festivity he had been wont to recognize as the pleasant evidence
of free and high-souled enjoyment, now jarred heavily on his senses, and
he wondered within himself how long he had lived in such companionship.

Well knowing that the supper-party would not remain long at table, while
high play continued to have its hold upon the guests, he strolled into
one of the shady alleys, watching from time to time for the breaking up
of the entertainment At last some two or three arose, and, preceded by
servants with lighted flambeaux, took the way towards the gaming-table.
They were speedily followed by others, so that in a brief space--except
by the usual group of hard-drinking souls, who ventured upon no stake
save that of health--the room was deserted.

He looked eagerly for Don Pedro, but could not see him, as it was
occasionally his practice to retire to his library long before his
guests sought their repose. Roland made a circuit of the villa, and
soon came to the door of this apartment, which led into a small
flower-garden. Tapping gently here, he received a summons to enter, and
found himself before Don Pedro, who, seated before a table, appeared
deeply immersed in matters of business.

Roland did not need the cold and almost stern reception of his host to
make him feel his intrusion very painfully; and he hastened to express
his extreme regret that he should be compelled by any circumstances
to trespass on leisure so e